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. 2017 Apr;25(4):713-720.
doi: 10.1002/oby.21790.

Stress, cortisol, and other appetite-related hormones: Prospective prediction of 6-month changes in food cravings and weight

Ariana M Chao  1   2 , Ania M Jastreboff  3   4 , Marney A White  5   6 , Carlos M Grilo  5   7   8 , Rajita Sinha  5   9
Affiliations

Stress, cortisol, and other appetite-related hormones: Prospective prediction of 6-month changes in food cravings and weight

Ariana M Chao et al. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2017 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: To examine whether baseline chronic stress, morning cortisol, and other appetite-related hormones (leptin, ghrelin, and insulin) predict future weight gain and food cravings in a naturalistic, longitudinal, 6-month follow-up study.

Methods: A prospective community cohort of 339 adults (age 29.1 ± 9.0 years; BMI = 26.7 ± 5.4 kg/m2 ; 56.9% female; 70.2% white) completed assessments at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Fasting blood draws were used to assess cortisol and other appetite-related hormone levels at baseline. At baseline and follow-up, body weight was measured, and the Cumulative Adversity Interview and Food Craving Inventory were administered. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates.

Results: Over the 6-month period, 49.9% of the sample gained weight. Food cravings and chronic stress decreased over 6 months (Ps < 0.05). However, after adjusting for covariates, individuals with higher baseline total ghrelin had significantly higher food cravings at 6 months (P = 0.04). Furthermore, higher cortisol, insulin, and chronic stress were each predictive of greater future weight gain (Ps < 0.05).

Conclusions: These results suggest that ghrelin plays a role in increased food cravings and reward-driven eating behaviors. Studies are needed that examine the utility of stress reduction methods for normalizing disrupted cortisol responses and preventing future weight gain.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean±SE of baseline-adjusted changes in food cravings over 6 months using a sample-median split of high (≥762 pg/mL) and low ghrelin (<762 pg/mL). A median split was used for graphical display only.
Figure 2
Figure 2
a. Mean±SE of weight change (kgs) over 6 months using sample-median splits of high and low cortisol and chronic stress. The median splits were as follows: cortisol≥14.67 mcg/dL and chronic stress≥9. b. Mean±SE of weight change (kgs) over 6 months using sample-splits of high and low values of appetite-related hormones. The median splits were as follows: ghrelin≥762 pg/mL; leptin≥8.56 ng/mL. A clinical-cut off was used for insulin≥15 µU/mL; glucose≥100 mg/dL; HOMA-IR≥3. Splits were used for graphical display only.
Figure 2
Figure 2
a. Mean±SE of weight change (kgs) over 6 months using sample-median splits of high and low cortisol and chronic stress. The median splits were as follows: cortisol≥14.67 mcg/dL and chronic stress≥9. b. Mean±SE of weight change (kgs) over 6 months using sample-splits of high and low values of appetite-related hormones. The median splits were as follows: ghrelin≥762 pg/mL; leptin≥8.56 ng/mL. A clinical-cut off was used for insulin≥15 µU/mL; glucose≥100 mg/dL; HOMA-IR≥3. Splits were used for graphical display only.
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